Beach Erosion--Can it be fixed?

[Travel2Much]

And that is why something will be done, even if we're not sure it's the right thing to do.

The interesting thing politically is the play between short term and long term interests. Choosing a strategy to handle the problem of getting through the wretched hurricane season without compromising the long term health of the beach and community. In my experience situations like this always really suck, because people seize on the immediate crisis to obtain things that really in the long term scheme of things were bad, and the pressures of the immediate crisis cause people to throw the big picture out and cave in.
And yet if you think only long term you don't see immediate problem.

I wish it were October.

 

[wetwilly]

I hope that a long term view is taken to the restoration but the reality seems to be that SoWal needs the tourism $$s and some or all of us owner's/rentees do as well and a large % of the people that come down to this area want gulf front or at least a view, a pool, and easy access to the beach....it is expected and they do not want to be inconvenienced or work too hard....this is not meant to offend any renters or anyone at all it is just a fact....I am partially guilty of thinking this way too...so some short term measures are going to be taken to get thru this Summer season. I just hope as many on this forum do that SoWal and the powers that be that make decisions on the restoration will not do the short term "quick" fix for this season to make it more convenient and safe to enjoy and then forget about the longer term fix. It is human nature for some people to push the limits of what is allowable and developers, builders, buyers, and sellers will continue to push for close frontage and that is a fact that will remain...if the powers that be (county, government etc) will allow them to built it close(r) and they do it then people will want it and pay more for it. Fact. Unfortunately, $$ is king and dictates alot of this and other aspects of our lives.

I just hope they can find a delicate balance between short term repair for the immediate season AND do the right ting long term.

Also, the Duke prof if you read it closely makes a sweeping generalization that some of us are ignorant, in denial, crazy/mad, and arrogant. I suspect that he is too based on re-reading this article....just my thoughts on this.

 

[Travel2Much]

...Also, the Duke prof if you read it closely makes a sweeping generalization that some of us are ignorant, in denial, crazy/mad, and arrogant. I suspect that he is too based on re-reading this article....just my thoughts on this.

I know a couple of academics and generally they are quite dogmatic and intractable folk, and positions like that are what gets you quoted.

BUT, one thing he says in his paper at the noaa site is that renourished beaches are significantly less resistant to storms and erode quicker. Having watched Arlene (a dumb little tropical storm) wash a significant part of months of work out to sea in an afternoon, I think he has a point.

 

[wetwilly]

Absolutely he has some very good points. But they are somewhat potentially missed due to his approach and his attempt to grab headlines. I don't know about you or anyone else out there but when people make sweeping statements and generalizations I tend not to really read the content, give them the credit they should get, or give it much thought. Also, I (and others) tend to shut down and tune out when someone intimates that I am in denial, mad, or "not very smart". When I approach topics like he has (and I can get that way), I am not suprised when people shut down and don't listen to me or care about my point.

I think we all know that building or treading too close to nature is a blessing but not without possible peril or consequence. So, some do it and hope for the best, some do it and are in denial or don't think rationally about what "could" happen, and others just do it or enjoy it while we can and try not to scar it or ruin it for others. Not trying to get too deep her but realistic.

 

[SlowMovin]

If it's like everything else in life, some compromise between the dogmatic, long-term and immediate-gratification, short-term approaches is probably appropriate.

I think there will have to be some immediate work done to get the beaches usable and to salvage what can be salvaged of the severely damaged properties. Some of this work will not be ideal and would not be my preference under normal conditions. Once we've 'stopped the bleeding', though, I think we can go back to a more long-term philosophy.

 

[Kurt]

The interesting thing politically is the play between short term and long term interests. Choosing a strategy to handle the problem of getting through the wretched hurricane season without compromising the long term health of the beach and community. In my experience situations like this always really suck, because people seize on the immediate crisis to obtain things that really in the long term scheme of things were bad, and the pressures of the immediate crisis cause people to throw the big picture out and cave in.
And yet if you think only long term you don't see immediate problem.

I wish it were October.

Wise you are.

 

[OhioBeachBum]

Well, sifting through all of the material on this board does give a non-resident a much better perspective. I used to look forward to when I might be able to afford the $$ to stay in one of those beach-side houses (after kid's college drain is gone <grin>) but doing so would seem to make me a problem contributor - wife says I'm still a boy scout (she's probably right, leave the camp site in better shape when you leave and all that).

Maybe a bright spot to Dennis (and this forum) is an incremental enlightenment of folks like me.

Kurt & Joe, if I do make it down there week of 07/24 (jury's still out til I hear from rental folks - maybe tomorrow), you're both welcome to my cold ones. Look for a brought-my-own umbrella with an OhioBeachBum sign on it (and relatively bright Ohio skin) near GWE if you find yourselves in that neighborhood.

 

[sarawind]

Travel2Much posted a great link for education on beach renourishment just above. Here's another with photos before and after.
http://www.shinermoseley.com/?event=coastal

 

[WaltonUndercurrent]

UNited Coastal Erosion Fund

 

[Bob]

And that is why something will be done, even if we're not sure it's the right thing to do.

Whatever is done will not stop nature. For a lesson in the power of nature, take a look at New Smyrna Beach today. Not long ago, New smyrna Beach was as wide as a football field during low tide. At the south end of the beach, near Canaveral National Seashore, Bethune Beach looked like many areas in Walton County look now. Homeowners tried everything,huge coquina bolders, gigantic chunks o' concrete, seawalls etc. to no avail. The homes and walkovers were subject to the fury of the next Atlantic Storm. Then along came Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne. In six short weeks the situation was reversed completely. The north end of the beach, where driving was allowed w/ 50-100 yard width of hardpacked sand was essentially gone. Today, on the north end, people are up against the seawalls and on-ramps at high tide. The south end of the beach, where people derided the owners for building so close to the beach, is much wider. Dredge, pump, infill, wall, reinforce as well as you can, in the end it will not matter. Walton County's issues are worsened by the fact that where the homes sit, there is no gradient anymore.